Account News In Brief (June 20, 2011)

BALTIMORE—Stanton Communications has added five new client accounts to its roster, including Vertis Communications, a marketing communications company that delivers inventive advertising, direct marketing and interactive solutions to some of the nation’s most prominent brands; AlBioTech, one of the world's leading biologics and specialty diagnostics companies; and Rommel Motorsports, operator of three of the largest Harley-Davidson dealerships in the United States. In addition, Stanton Communications is working with the State of Maryland in support of both the Maryland 9/11 Memorial Committee and the Maryland State Arts Council.

RALEIGH, NC—Hood River Distillers, one of the Northwest's oldest and largest importers and producers of distilled spirits, has engaged French/West/Vaughan to develop new creative campaigns for four of the company’s leading spirits brands including Pendleton Whisky, Yazi Ginger Vodka, ULLR Nordic Libation, and Broker’s Gin. FWV was selected based on the quality of past creative work and relevant experience in the spirits category. The project includes comprehensive brand marketing plans for each spirit, as well as new creative concepts for all point-of-sale and advertising materials.

NEW YORK—The Morris + King Company has been retained by Sonar, a location-based mobile app that introduces you to people relevant around you by combining publicly available profile and location information from Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. As agency-of-record, MKC is developing and executing a comprehensive public relations campaign on behalf of Sonar that taps the diverse strengths of MKC in the digital and consumer sectors.

BOSTON—BackBay Communications has been retained as public relations agency of record by SRS | Shareholder Representative Services, an expert on helping venture capital and private equity firms manage the post-closing process after M&A transactions. BackBay will provide SRS with global media relations focused on leveraging SRS’ research and thought leadership out of BackBay’s Boston, New York and London offices.

LOS ANGELES—JS2 Communications has added seven new southern Californian restaurant accounts to its food and beverage division: 1321 Downtown Taproom Bistro in Torrance; City Tavern in Culver City; Esquela Taqueria, created by the Los Angeles restaurateur Steven Arroyo; Farmshop, located in the Brentwood Country Mart; L’Epicerie Market, co-owned by Thierry Perez and chef Sébastien Archambault; MB Post, located across the street from the Pacific Ocean in Manhattan Beach; and Mohawk Bend, owned by beer expert Tony Yanow.

LOS ANGELES—Amy Levy Public Relations has added three clients to its roster: Sherman Infinity Rings, a jewelry collection inspired by artist Charles Sherman’s sculptures; New York Times best-selling author and “career doctor” Jennifer Kushell; and Kimberly Greene, author of the Pop Star teen book series.

CHICAGO—Zapwater Communications has added Scoop NYC to its client roster and fashion practice area. The company has retained Zapwater to lead and manage all regional press outreach, social media efforts and event logistics for opening of its second Chicago store.